080121-08MN006-Sabina Hackett River Project Proposal ... - NIRB

Description of the Existing Environment6.2.10.1 Mammals of ConcernThe status of ungulates (caribou and muskoxen; considering each herd of barren ground caribouseparately) potentially occurring in the Project area are presented in Table 6.2-6. The rankingsof carnivores potentially occurring in the study area is presented in Table 6.2-7. Finally,Table 6.2-8 includes the status of small mammals potentially occurring in the study area.Table 6.2-6Status of Ungulates Potentially Occurring in the Project RSASpecies StatusSpecies Scientific Name Nunavut SARA Designation COSEWIC OccurrenceCaribou (Pearysubspecies)Caribou (Dolphinand Union Herd)Caribou (Bathurstherd)Caribou (Ahiak herd)Rangifer taranduspearyiRangifer tarandusgroenlandicusRangifer tarandusgroenlandicusRangifer tarandusgroenlandicusUnavailable Not currently scheduled Endangered Shipping RouteSensitive Not currently scheduled Special Concern Shipping RouteSecure Not currently scheduled Not assessed ConfirmedUnavailable Not currently scheduled Not assessed LikelyMuskox Ovibos moschatus Secure Not currently scheduled Not assessed ConfirmedTable 6.2-7Status of Carnivores Potentially Occurring in the Project RSASpecies StatusSpecies Scientific Name Nunavut SARA Designation COSEWIC OccurrenceGrey Wolf Canis lupus Secure Not currently scheduled Data Deficient ConfirmedArctic Fox Vulpes lagopus Secure Not currently scheduled Not assessed ConfirmedColoured Fox Vulpes vulpes Secure Not currently scheduled Not assessed ConfirmedGrizzly Bear Ursus arctos Sensitive Not currently scheduled Special Concern ConfirmedWolverine Gulo gulo Secure Not currently scheduled Special Concern ConfirmedErmine Mustela erminea Secure Not currently scheduled Not assessed ConfirmedLeast Weasel Mustela nivalis Secure Not currently scheduled Not assessed LikelyAmerican Mink Mustela vison Undetermined Not currently scheduled Not assessed PossibleCanada Lynx Lynx canadensis Undetermined Not currently scheduled Not at Risk PossibleOf the mammal species that may occur in the Hackett RSA, one caribou herd is consideredendangered (the Peary caribou herd, associated with the shipping route) and one herd isconsidered of special concern (the Dolphin and Union herd). Important features that must bemaintain for these species to persist in the region include ice bridges for migration across theFranklin straight and between Bathurst Inlet and Victoria Island, which are required for theseherds during fall migration Two carnivore species are listed as species of special concern, thegrizzly bear and the wolverine. Grizzly bear and wolverine prefer to den in esker and heathtundra habitat, and require a healthy prey base of caribou and other small mammals. No smallmammal species are currently listed.January 2008 Hackett River Project – Project Proposal Sabina Silver CorporationReport Version B.1 6–18 Rescan Environmental Services Ltd. (Proj. #833-2)